I-beam or square tubing for hammer?

[setlab]

I'm building a jyh power hammer and I am about to start welding the frame up, I have a pretty heavy duty 1/2" thick I-beam that I'm planing to use for the main column part and I also have some 1/4" walled square tubing I could use too. How much difference does a column like square tubing filled with sand damper the sound compared to a more open column like a I-beam?

[markh]

If you care about noise, use the tube and fill it with sand. That really quiets down a hammer.

[Covforge]

Keep in mind the tubing will be less likely to flex than ibeam. If you use the ibeam it will have a tendency to twist under stress, if you box it it will cure that problem.
Hope this helps.
Travis

[ptree]

I built a Rusty style hammer, and used square tube for the center column. Empty the whole thing rang like a bell. I filled it with steel shot, and the machine is much less nosiy. The extra 650# also helps to stabilize the machine. I had access to scrap steel shot from a Wheelabrator. Dirty, but free. After a few hours I had to top off as it settled. This went on for a couple of months.

[djhammerd]

I believe square tubing has the advantage over an i-beam for reasons stated above. I like to make my frames very heavy for stability. 1/4 inch wall would be a little light. I would recommend 1/2 inch walled square tubing if you can find it. The base needs to be heavy also (minimum of 3/4" plate, 2" is better).

[djhammerd]

Ptree.... What is the size of the steel shot you have access to?

[Jan]

Next thing for filler:if you gonna stuck wooden beam into box section,you will need less
shot(s).And noise goes down.

[setlab]

I ended up using the heavier I-beam I had. I figure latter on I will find a couple plates to weld on the sides to box it in. I'm definitely going to have to find a heavier and bigger base plate to mount everything on but for now its on a 1/2 plate. For now I just have to figure out how short to cut the main springs.

[Ice Czar]

Originally Posted by setlab

I figure latter on I will find a couple plates to weld on the sides to box it in.

a sound engineering idea
as mentioned a box girder offers considerably better resistance to torsion (and you can fill it)

looks good

[John Larson]

I've built hammers using I-beams with 1/2 flanges and that works, but I now favor box beams that I construct using channels and flats, bolted together. With bolted together box beams I can, like with I-beams, access bolts that pass through a flange. With rectangular tubes I find the sides are not particularly flat and bolts have to be threaded into the tube walls, or totally welded construction used. I have nothing really against tubes, but I prefer fab'd box beams.